Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
in body tissues,
27
and studies suggest that chronic diseases are associated not only
with increased levels of RAGE in the body, but also, and probably as important, with
low levels of sRAGE.
7.5 MANy PlAyErs IN ThE INFlAMMATIoN orChEsTrA
The largest part of the immune system, in contrast to what was earlier believed,
is to be found in the gastrointestinal system (Figure 7.1), which explains why the food
we eat has such a dominating influence on our well-being and health.
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Apart from
AGEs/ALEs, many other food-related factors influence the level of inflammation in
the body and thus our health and well-being. Some evidence suggests that these fac-
tors are additive and that they collectively contribute to the sustained, long-lasting,
but often discrete and unrecognized, exaggerated level of inflammation in the body,
which is common to most chronic diseases. Among these factors are the following:
•
Low level of vitamin D in the body
. A strong correlation among the level of vitamin
D in the body, the degree of inflammation, and the incidence of chronic diseases
has been observed. Individuals living at higher latitudes, northern Scandinavia,
Russia, and Canada, are reported to have generally lower levels of vitamin D in
serum, especially during the winter season, which is associated with the observed
higher incidence of coronary-vascular diseases in these regions and is suggested
to contribute to the higher incidence of acute coronary events during the winter
months in these countries.
29,30
Low levels in the body of antioxidants, such as folic acid and glutathione, and
•
increased levels of homocysteine.
Figure 7.2 illustrates the central role of folic acid
and glutathione in prevention of accumulation of homocysteine in the body,
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a
substance regularly associated with increased levels of systemic inflammation and
chronic diseases.
70
_
80%
20
_
30%
Bone marrow
Small
intestine
6
_
7m
Lymph
nodes
(N = 500
_
1000)
Large
intestine
-1.5 m
Spleen
Figure 7.1
distribution of the immune system within the body. (adapted from brandtzaeg
P. et al., 1989.
28
)
